'99 E's and 'lamp defective' message..
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Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 379
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From: Cleveland, OH
1999 Mercedes E300 TurboDiesel
'99 E's and 'lamp defective' message..
Anyone getting this message, even when no bulbs appeared burned out? I have this problem, and have heard about a wiring harness update, but my dealer claims there isn't one. If you have heard of this or have had it done, please let me know, or the part numbers from your records would be awesome. Thanks.
Dave
Dave
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Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Cleveland, OH
1999 Mercedes E300 TurboDiesel
Not sure what the reverse light/plate light is, but as far as I know, all lights are working. I haven't added any LED lights to the system... There was talk for a while of a wiring harness update, nobody gotten it or heard of it?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Jacksonville Florida
209/W210 Estate /W211 modded by MBENZNL
Please remove the rear bulb holders and Inspect for Melted plastic at the base of the bulb contact...I Have seen this on Several W210s ...Also please check if you have replaced any bulbs...The Bulbs Must Match...The Same Wattage!
Hope this helps
Hope this helps
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Houston, TX
2012 CLS 63 AMG PP
I have received the same message a couple of times and none of my bulbs were burned out. You just need to take every bulb out of the tail light assembly and use a fine sandpaper to sand down the contacts on the bulb sockets. Also stretch out the contacts just a little with a flathead screwdriver, so that when you put the bulb sockets back on the light assembly, they fit in there tight with good contact of the metal.
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Lancaster, CA
1999 E320 - Desert Silver
How about the brake light?
This took me a while to find since I was checking the lights by myself, but with help from another person (my 10 y.o. niece in this case), I found that my right rear break light was intermittent.
This was due to a loose contact that was arcking and had actually melted part of the plastic base underneath.
My quick fix: Took rear tail light lens off and bent the contacts to insure proper contact.
Long term fix: Replace lens assembly - will do this this weekend after parts arrive.
TJ
This was due to a loose contact that was arcking and had actually melted part of the plastic base underneath.
My quick fix: Took rear tail light lens off and bent the contacts to insure proper contact.
Long term fix: Replace lens assembly - will do this this weekend after parts arrive.
TJ
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Newbie
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Palo Alto, CA
MB E430
I recently had the "headlamp malfunction" message. I didn't see anything that looked burned out. So I took it to the dealer and while I waited, they replaced the rear brake lamp. This was covered under the warranty.
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Out Of Control!!
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From: Chicago
Volvo V90 CC
Originally posted by tomsky
I recently had the "headlamp malfunction" message. I didn't see anything that looked burned out. So I took it to the dealer and while I waited, they replaced the rear brake lamp. This was covered under the warranty.
I recently had the "headlamp malfunction" message. I didn't see anything that looked burned out. So I took it to the dealer and while I waited, they replaced the rear brake lamp. This was covered under the warranty.
I think I'm one of the few 99 E classes that are at 60k miles.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 379
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From: Cleveland, OH
1999 Mercedes E300 TurboDiesel
Thanks for the replies guys. I don't think its the brake lights. I had the recurring lamp defective message before AND after switching/upgrading to the newer avantgarde tail lights...which of course had all new bulbs etc....any other ideas?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 379
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From: Cleveland, OH
1999 Mercedes E300 TurboDiesel
thanks to all who suggested it, in fact after looking, I do have one of my two license plate lights out. Thanks so much, can't believe I missed that! This forum rocks! =]
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 379
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From: Cleveland, OH
1999 Mercedes E300 TurboDiesel
thanks to all who suggested it, in fact after looking, I do have one of my two license plate lights out. Thanks so much, can't believe I missed that! This forum rocks! =]
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From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
I've been reading this over and over, as this only popped up on our vehicle (97 E320)
Lamp Defective message..
on the front, the driver's side running light / high beam / DRL does not light up (they're permanently on), but if I use the manual flash / high beam, it works just fine.
Lamp Defective message..
on the front, the driver's side running light / high beam / DRL does not light up (they're permanently on), but if I use the manual flash / high beam, it works just fine.
Super Member
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From: Kansas City. U.S.A.
2000 E320 Sedan
what about my bulbs !!
I have been having thew same fricking problem with defective light issue the past 3 months. It goes away for a week and come back on. I checked all of the exterior lights, brake lights, signal lights, front and back, mirror lights, city lights, headlights, fog lights, lic plate lights, side lights ..etc u name it I chkd it. I replaced one of the rear light sockets becuase it looked lose, but it kept on hapening. I checked the rear bulp sockets 3 days ago, I makde sure they are tight and not lose. The problem is gone now for 3 days, but I think it is a matter of time !! any other possible idea?
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: San Diego, CA
E320 Wagon
Consider some of the bulbs that you do not use every time you drive (fog lamps, front and rear, head lamps , parking lamps, etc). The message only appears when you actually try to use the defective lamp.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Seattle WA
99 E320
i have this occasionally and it goes away. all bulbs appear intact and functional. then it occured to me the pattern: only on cold days and it only began to manifest this error msg after I installed HIDs. Hella gen3 ballasts,
E55 into Depo shell. so if I'm right (in my case) I could either change the
ballast, have dealer reset management system to HID operation, or just put
up with the few times it has done this since last Fall.
E55 into Depo shell. so if I'm right (in my case) I could either change the
ballast, have dealer reset management system to HID operation, or just put
up with the few times it has done this since last Fall.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Kansas City. U.S.A.
2000 E320 Sedan
Originally Posted by PJH
Consider some of the bulbs that you do not use every time you drive (fog lamps, front and rear, head lamps , parking lamps, etc). The message only appears when you actually try to use the defective lamp.
all have been checked, no issues with the bulbs what so ever. All are working. However, it does appears to happen more in cold weather than when it happens in warmer weather. I have a feeling it has to do with a switch of some kind shrining in colder weather and expanding in warmer weather !!
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2013
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From: Norwich, England
E320 T CDI Estate 2001
Headlamp Wiring
Does any of you chaps out there know what value the charred diode/resistor/slow blow fuse is that is in line with the side light wire in the headlamp please. Mine has got rather hot and took all identification off it.
